GOLDEN-CEOWNED SPABBOW 451 



in a coffee-berry thicket in Yosemite Valley. Thereafter, for a month or 

 so, the species was noted in a number of places in the hig^her country ; for 

 example, near McGee Lake (October 5), at Aspen Valley (October 15 and 

 16), and above Yosemite Point (October 30). In 1914, at El Portal, these 

 sparrows were regularly noted from November 21 to the end of December. 

 At Pleasant Valley in 1915 the species was seen on December 3. It seems 

 very likely that those Golden-crowns which go first into the higher zones 

 drop down the western slope with the advent of heavy snow. They are 

 entirely absent from Yosemite Valley during the mid-winter months. 

 Furthermore, there is no evidence of a return to the higher zones in the 

 spring. Like the Intermediate Sparrows the Golden-crowns continue in 

 the foothill brush belt until they leave for their nesting grounds. They 

 often remain in our latitude until relatively late in the spring. Thus, 

 on May 10, 1919, near Coulterville, one w^as collected and the next day 

 at least four others were noted. The bird collected, a female, was fat and 

 contained only small ova. The first fact testified that it was in condition 

 to begin the long northward migration to its summer habitat and to under- 

 take the trying task of rearing its brood there, while the second indicated 

 that it W'Ould not have begun actual nesting activities for some time. 

 None was seen after May 11. As in the case of the Intermediate Sparrow, 

 this regular late occurrence of the Golden-crown has resulted in some bird 

 students believing that the species nests in California; but as far as w^e 

 know there is no other ground for the belief. 



The Golden-crowned Sparrow receives its name from the presence of 

 an area of golden yellow on the top of its head. In the immature birds 

 this area is duller and smaller and not set off by contrasted color, but in 

 the adults the area in question is decidedly a clear yellow, bordered in 

 front and at the sides by solid black. This pattern on the head is sufficient 

 to distinguish the Golden-crown from either of the white-crowned sparrows 

 and from the lark sparrow\ It differs further from all of these in having 

 a dark toned under surface. But in general behavior it closely resembles 

 the White-crowns, staying about brush patches and taking shelter under 

 or Avithin these when frightened. 



The song of the Golden-crowned Sparrow is distinctive. It consists of 

 three remarkably clear whistled notes, of a minor quality, and descending 

 in pitch from the first to the third. Often, especially in the winter months, 

 the song, short as it is, is given incompletely, only one or two of the notes 

 being uttered, and then with a quavering intonation. But as spring comes 

 on, the full three syllables are given vigorously and often. On occasion 

 the Golden-crown is heard to indulge in a 'whisper song,' which is so faint 

 as to be heard only at a very few yards' range. This has none of the clear 

 whistles which characterize the usual utterance, but is remindful of the 



